Allergic rhinitis nasal swelling relief

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xtoverus1

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The weird thing is I've never ever had sinus problems before. Ever since returning to Florida from the army I've been plagued with constant sinus infections. I will definitely consult an allergist. The most annoying symptom of all this is the ringing/buzzing in the ears.. The intensity and loudness has dialed down a bit from last week but it's still annoying as hell. What I don't understand is why the swelling will not go down; I've tried various OTC medication and anti inflammatory pills but nothing really seems to work. I'll try the sinus rinsing again but I'm a little afraid I'll irritate my nasal sinuses further.

Quick side note: Aside from the ear pressure and buzzing I don't really have any other symptoms. My nose isn't runny or anything.
 
About a week after a head cold I started experience pressure in my ears and an annoying buzzing sound that I could actually feel in my head.. weird I know. After about of week of this I went to an ENT. The doctor said my nasal sinuses were very swollen and diagnosed me with allergic rhinitis. I was given nasacorte AQ and a shot of something I couldn't even begin to pronounce let alone spell. I was also given a hearing test to make sure I didn't have some sort of tinnitus associated with hearing damage; after twenty minutes of listening to beeps they determined my hearing was perfect..
A little while after I was given the shot I did get some relief from the buzzing and pressure in my ears, but it's still noticeable and annoying. I'm scheduled to get a cat scan soon and return with my results but...
While I'm waiting for my appointments, is there any way I can reduce the swelling myself? The nasacorte AQ doesn't really seem to be doing anything other than keeping the swelling from getting any worse, but no actual further reduction. Antihistamines like claritin and alavert actually seem to make it worse so I'm avoiding those. I would really appreciate some suggestion.
 
The ear pressure feeling could be from sinus congestion. Look up a diagram of the sinuses and how they relate to your eyes and ears. It can be quite informative.

And a saline rinse should not harm you at all...after all, that's what they use to clean out wounRAB, rinse contact lenses, etc.
 
Good point, I'll give that a try tonight.

danabarb - How do you cope with the buzzing/tingling at night when you're trying to sleep? I've been using loud fans and iPoRAB so far but it still gets maddening at times. I hope this clears up soon.. does yours usually last 2-3 weeks?
 
You dont say when all this happened so it's hard to say. I would imagine you got a steroid shot. If so, it can take 4- 5 days to show real progress. You might also try a sinus rinse or at least some saline spray before you use the nasacort.
 
I'm still working on getting an allergist. Today I got my CT scan done and took the films to the ENT. Apparently I have a deviated septum, although I have no memory of breaking my nose it is quite clear on the films (very crooked).
He said that most likely I'm still getting over a sinus infection and have some swelling which is causing the pressure in my ears and ringing; he gave me alleRX and suggested I schedule surgery to fix my deviated septum.
I was assured by him that the ringing is not permanent and will go away but I'm still a little worried.
In the morning the pressure/ringing in my nose and ears isn't too bad but about mid way through the afternoon it gets pretty bad.
I bought an Ayr saline nasal rinse kit. I followed the instruction and honestly it burned a bit when I was done (is that normal?). How many times a day should I be rinsing?
 
Yes, it will burn a bit. It's got salt in it - and you know what salt does to wounRAB. Twice per day - AM when you get up and PM when you go to bed.

And keep in mind that the repair of the deviated septum will only make drainage better not get rid of your allergies.
 
Well, the head cold was about 3 weeks ago. The ear pressure and buzzing started about 2 weeks ago. This past Friday is when I went to the ENT and got the steroid shot.
I do have a neti pot but but I'm not sure if that will help or make things worse.
 
I am not too sure I have the same type of ringing because my sounRAB like a buzz and when I don't think about it, I sometimes forget it is there. Am certainly not insinuating that it is mind over matter with you, but any means. If you get your self in the hanRAB of a very good allergist, he may be able to tell you what is cooking. As I may have said, allergies can effect all parts of your body. A lot of people who have allergic rhinitis also have vasomotor rhinitis and this effects the blood vessels in the head because they swell up and, in turn, screw up other parts of your body. I believe it can effect your ears and I know it can effect your balance and thinking. It is what I call a "trigger" disease. Your ear/nose and throat man should know this as well. He certainly should know about ringing in the ears and what may cause it and if he doesn't know, he should refer you to someone who may, but if I were you, I would check out a GOOD allergist as well. You will have nothing to lose. Good luck and please keep me posted.
 
I, too, had a deviated septum and had NO idea as to why, at first, but then I got to thinking that I always slept on my stomach with my nose to the pillow and for all I know that may have caused it. I had the surgery and it was a snap, but, then, again, I was referred to an excellent surgeon. Before the surgery, I was having headaches and didn't know what caused them. Once the surgery was performed, I was much better. About the saline solution: Yes, it does burn a little. As to how often you should use it, I am no dr., so it may be wise to ask him. I use it when I wish. Hope this is of some help to you.
 
If you just got a steroid shot on Friday, you would not see any dramatic changes yet. And saline rinses are very helpful in flushing out any congestion.
 
If I were you, I would go to an allergist and forget the ENT because what you have written are signs of allergies. Yes, ringing in the ears is associated with allergies. When your sinuses are swollen, it can effect your balance, your hearing, your thinking and the list goes on and on. I am no dr., but if I were you, I would not have the cat scan before I consulted with an allergist And, yes, I do have horrible allergies, so speak from experience. As I write this, my ears are tingling like the bells of St. Mary's, but that is par for the course when allergies are bothering me.
 
I feel like I am reading about me!

I have had ear ringing, buzzing, crackling, hissing for 4 months due to allergies. ugh. Right now my throat and ears are itching, sinuses throbbing, eyes burning and ears hurting and hissing...all due to allergy swelling. Nothing seems to be getting it under control this season. I am happy to read that other people experience these symptoms due to allergies as well. I found I am allergic to ragweed (off the charts now in NJ), trees, grass mold and dogs. Fun fun.

Let me know how you are all doing. Any suggestions on how I can control my eustachian tube swelling that is causing all of this? Flonase, sudafed, antibiotics, prednisone have not really helped much :(
 
Titchou brought up a very good point; sinuses definitely effect the eyes. I am always putting drops in my eyes-from the dr-because they are always dry and my sinuses can drive me to drink. Look up the Grossan irrigator on the Internet. He is an ear/nose/throat dr., from what I have read, and has a wonderful rinsing gadget. Make sure you get the packets and don't use salt water because the salt water can injure the merabranes in your nose. His packets do no harm.
 
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